Contents

 1Setting
 2Theatrical films
o 2.1Original trilogy
o 2.2Prequel trilogy
o 2.3Sequel trilogy
o 2.4Standalone films
o 2.5Spin-off series
 3Television
o 3.1TV specials
o 3.2Animated series
o 3.3Untitled series
 4In other media
o 4.1Print media
o 4.2Audio dramas
o 4.3Video games
o 4.4Merchandising
o 4.5Multimedia projects
o 4.6Theme park attractions
 5Themes
o 5.1Comparisons with historical events
 6Cultural impact
o 6.1Industry
o 6.2Fan works
o 6.3Academia
 7See also
 8Notes
 9References
 10Bibliography
 11Further reading
 12External links

Setting
"Star Wars galaxy" redirects here. For the video game, see Star Wars Galaxies. For the comic series
named Star Wars Galaxy, see Star Wars (UK comics).
See also: List of Star Wars planets and moons
George Lucas, who created the franchise, directed and wrote
Episodes I–IV, and supervised scripts of Episodes V and VI, has limited involvement with it since 2012.

The Star Wars franchise depicts the adventures of characters "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far
away."[6] Many species of aliens (often humanoid) co-exist with droids who may assist them in their
daily routines, and space travel between planets is common.[7][8][9] The rises and falls of different
governments are chronicled throughout the saga: the democratic Galactic Republic is corrupted
and overthrown by the Empire,[10] which is fought by the "Rebel" Alliance to Restore the Republic.
The New Republic later rebuilds society, but the remnants of the Empire reform as the First
Order.[11] Heroes of the former rebellion lead the Resistance against the oppressive dictatorship.
A mystical power known as "the Force" is described in the original film as "an energy field created by
all living things [that] ... binds the galaxy together."[6] Those whom "the Force is strong with" have
quick reflexes; through training and meditation, they are able to perform various superpowers (such
as telekinesis, precognition, telepathy, and manipulation of physical energy).[12] The Force is wielded
by two major factions at conflict with each other: the Jedi, who act on the light side of the Force
through non-attachment and arbitration, and the Sith Order, who use the dark side through fear and
aggression. The latter's members are intended to be limited to two: a master and their apprentice.[13]

Theatrical films
Further information: List of Star Wars films and television series
The Star Wars film series centers around a "trilogy of trilogies" (also referred to as the "Skywalker
saga"[1] or the "Star Wars saga"). They were released out of sequence: the original (Episodes IV–VI,
1977–83), prequel (Episodes I–III, 1999–2005), and sequel (Episodes VII–IX, 2015–19) trilogy. The
first two trilogies were released on three year intervals, the sequel trilogy films two years apart. Each
trilogy centers on a generation of the Force-sensitive Skywalker family. The prequels focus
on Anakin Skywalker, the original trilogy on his son Luke, and the sequels on Luke's nephew Kylo
Ren.
A theatrical animated film, The Clone Wars (2008), was released as a pilot to a TV series of the
same name. They were among the last projects overseen by George Lucas before the franchise was
sold to Disney in 2012. An anthology series set between the main episodes entered development in
parallel to the production of the sequel trilogy,[14] described by Disney CFO Jay Rasulo as origin
stories.[15] The first entry, Rogue One (2016), tells the story of the rebels who steal the Death Star
plans directly before Episode IV. Solo (2018) focuses on Han's backstory, also
featuring Chewbacca and Lando Calrissian. The anthology films are promotionally subtitled "A Star
Wars Story".[16][17][18]
An untitled trilogy by Episode VIII's director Rian Johnson has been announced, with an additional
film series by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D. B. Weiss also in development.
Prequel trilogy Original trilogy Sequel trilogy

Sto Initial
Release Direc Screenwriter Produc Comp
Film ry distrib
date tor (s) er(s) oser
by utor

Episod
e IV –
A New May 25, 1977 George Lucas
Hope

Episod Gary Kurtz

eV–
The Irvin Leigh
Empir May 21, 1980 Kershn Brackett and La
e er wrence Kasdan
Strikes
Back Georg
e
Lucas
Episod
e VI – Richard Lawrence
Return May 25, 1983 Howard 20th
Marqua Kasdan and John
of the Kazanjian Century
nd George Lucas Williams
Jedi Fox

Episod
eI–
The
Phant May 19, 1999 George Lucas
om
Menac
e Rick
McCallum

Episod
e II – George Lucas Georg
Attack May 16, 2002 George
and Jonathan e
of the Lucas
Hales Lucas
Clones
 Sto Initial
Release Direc Screenwriter Produc Comp
Film ry distrib
date tor (s) er(s) oser
by utor

Episod
e III –
Reven
ge of May 19, 2005 George Lucas
the
Sith

Episod Kathleen
e VII – Kennedy,
The Lawrence Kasdan & J. J.
December 18, J. J. J. J.
Force 2015 Abrams and Michael
Abrams Abrams
Awake Arndt
and Bryan
ns Burk

Episod
e VIII –
Kathleen Walt
The December 15, Kennedy Disney
Rian Johnson
Last 2017 and Ram Studios
Jedi Bergman Motion
Pictures

Kathleen
Kennedy,
J. J.
Episo December 20, J. J. J. J. Abrams & Chris
Abrams
de IX 2019 Abrams Terrio[19][20]
and
Michelle
Rejwan

Original trilogy
The central three characters of the original trilogy were played by, from left to right, Mark Hamill (Luke
Skywalker), Harrison Ford (Han Solo), and Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia).

In 1971, Lucas wanted to film an adaptation of the Flash Gordon serial, but couldn't obtain the rights.
He began developing his own story inspired by the work of Edgar Rice Burroughs.[21] Immediately
after directing American Graffiti (1973), Lucas wrote a two-page synopsis for his space opera,
titled Journal of the Whills. After Universal Studios rejected the film, 20th Century Foxdecided to
invest in it.[22] Lucas felt his original story was too difficult to understand, so on April 17, 1973, he
began writing a 13-page script titled The Star Wars, sharing strong similarities with Akira
Kurosawa's The Hidden Fortress (1958).[23] By 1974, he had expanded the script into the first draft of
a screenplay, adding elements such as the Sith and the Death Star. Subsequent drafts evolved into
the script of the original film.[24]
Lucas negotiated to retain the sequel rights. Tom Pollock, then Lucas' lawyer writes: "We came to an
agreement that George would retain the sequel rights. Not all the [merchandising rights] that came
later, mind you; just the sequel rights. And Fox would get a first opportunity and last refusal right to
make the movie."[25] Lucas was offered $50,000 to write, another $50,000 to produce, and $50,000 to
direct the film.[25] The offer was later increased.[26] American Graffiti cast member Harrison Ford had
given up on acting and become a carpenter whom Lucas hired for his home renovations, until Lucas
decided to cast him as Han Solo.[27]
Star Wars was released on May 25, 1977. It was followed by The Empire Strikes Back on May 21,
1980, and Return of the Jedi on May 25, 1983. The sequels were self-financed by Lucasfilm, and
generally advertised without the episodic number distinction present in the opening crawl of the films
introduced with Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.[25] The plot of the original trilogy centers on the
Galactic Civil War of the Rebel Alliance trying to free the galaxy from the clutches of the Galactic
Empire, as well as on Luke Skywalker's quest to become a Jedi.
Episode IV: A New Hope
Main article: Star Wars (film)
Conceptual artist Ralph McQuarrie (left) and sound designer Ben Burtt (right) defined the iconic aesthetic and
soundscape of the original trilogy.

The film opens with a Rebel spaceship being intercepted by the Empire above the desert planet
of Tatooine. Aboard, the deadliest Imperial agent Darth Vader and
his stormtroopers capture Princess Leia Organa, a secret member of the rebellion. Before her
capture, Leia makes sure the droid R2-D2 will escape with stolen Imperial blueprints and a
holographic message for the Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has been living in exile on Tatooine.
Along with C-3PO, R2-D2 falls under the ownership of Luke Skywalker, a farmboy who has been
raised by his aunt and uncle. Luke helps the droids locate Obi-Wan, now a solitary old hermit known
as Ben Kenobi. He reveals himself as a friend of Luke's absent father, Anakin Skywalker, who was
Obi-Wan's Jedi apprentice until being murdered by Vader. He tells Luke he must also become a
Jedi. After discovering his family's homestead has been destroyed by the Empire, they hire the
smuggler Han Solo, his Wookiee co-pilot Chewbacca and their space freighter, the Millennium
Falcon. They discover that Leia's homeworld of Alderaan has been destroyed, and are soon
captured by the planet-destroying Death Star. While Obi-Wan disables its tractor beam, Luke and
Han rescue the captive Princess Leia. Finally, they deliver the Death Star plans to the Rebel Alliance
with the hope of exploiting a weakness.[6]
The first rough draft, known as The Star Wars, introduced "the Force" and the young hero Luke
Starkiller. Annikin [sic] appeared as Luke's father, a wise Jedi knight. The third draft replaced (a
deceased) Annikin with Ben Kenobi.[24] Some months later, Lucas had negotiated a contract that
gave him rights to two sequels. Lucas hired Alan Dean Foster, who was ghostwriting the novelization
of the first film, to write them — with the main creative restriction that they could be filmed on a low
budget.[28] By 1976, a fourth draft had been prepared for principal photography. The film was
titled The Adventures of Luke Starkiller, as taken from the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star
Wars. During production, Lucas changed Luke's name to Skywalker and shortened the title to The
Star Wars, and finally just Star Wars.[24] At that point, Lucas was not expecting the film to warrant full-
scale sequels. The fourth draft of the script underwent subtle changes to become a self-contained
story ending with the destruction of the Empire in the Death Star. The intention was that if the film
was successful, Lucas could adapt Foster's novels into low-budget sequels.[29] By that point, Lucas
had developed a tentative backstory to aid in developing the saga.[30]

A fan cosplays as Darth Vader, the antagonist of the original trilogy. His backstory became the basis of the
prequels and The Clone Warsanimated series. He also appeared in the anthology film Rogue One and
the Rebels animated series.

Star Wars exceeded all expectations. The success of the film and its merchandise sales led Lucas to
make Star Wars the basis of an elaborate film serial,[31] and use the profits to finance his filmmaking
center, Skywalker Ranch.[32] After the release of the first sequel, Episode V: The Empire Strikes
Back, the original film was subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope for a rerelease in 1981.[33][34][35]
Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Main article: The Empire Strikes Back

Lawrence Kasdan co-wrote Episodes V, VI and VII, and Solo.

The film begins three years after the destruction of the Death Star, when the Empire forces the
Rebel Alliance to evacuate its secret base on Hoth. Instructed by Obi-Wan's spirit, Luke travels to
the swamp world of Dagobah to find the exiled Jedi Master Yoda. Luke's Jedi training is interrupted
by Vader, who lures him into a trap by capturing Han and Leia at Cloud City, governed by Han's old
friend Lando. During a fierce duel, Vader reveals a shocking truth about Luke's father.[12]
Owing to financial concerns, Alan Dean Foster's sequel novel, Splinter of the Mind's Eye (1978),
restricted the story to Luke, Leia, and Darth Vader.[36][37] But after the success of the original film,
Lucas knew a sequel would be granted a reasonable budget, and hired Leigh Brackett to write it
from scratch. She finished a draft by early 1978, but died of cancer before Lucas was able discuss
changes he wanted made to it.[38] His disappointment with the first draft may have made him consider
new directions.[39] Lucas penned the next draft, the first screenplay to feature episodic numbering for
a Star Wars story.[40] Lucas found this draft enjoyable to write, as opposed to the yearlong struggle
writing the first film, and quickly wrote two more[41] in April 1978. The plot twist of Vader being Luke's
father had drastic effects on the series.[42] After writing these drafts, Lucas fleshed out the backstory
between Anakin, Obi-Wan, and the Emperor.[43]
With this new backstory in place, Lucas decided that the series would be a trilogy of trilogies,
designating the first sequel Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back in the next draft.[41] Lawrence
Kasdan, who had just completed writing Raiders of the Lost Ark, was hired to write the next drafts,
and given additional input from director Irvin Kershner. Kasdan, Kershner, and producer Gary
Kurtz saw the film as a more serious and adult story, and developed the sequel from the light
adventure roots of the first film.[44]
Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Main article: Return of the Jedi

Puppeteer Frank Oz (left) and actor Ian McDiarmid(right) portrayed Yoda and Palpatine, respectively, in the
original trilogy and returned to play the roles in the prequel trilogy.

The final chapter of the original trilogy opens with Luke joining Leia and Lando in a rescue attempt to
save Han from the gangster Jabba the Hutt. Afterward, Luke returns to Dagobah to complete his
Jedi training, only to find Yoda on his deathbed.[45] In his last words, Yoda confirms the truth about
Luke's father, and that Luke must confront Vader again in order to complete his training. As the
rebels lead an attack on the second Death Star, Luke engages Vader in another lightsaber duel
as Emperor Palpatinewatches; both Sith Lords intend to turn Luke to the dark side and take him as
their apprentice.[46]
Kurtz wanted a bittersweet and nuanced ending they had outlined that saw Han dead, the Rebel
forces in pieces, Leia struggling as a queen, and Luke walking off alone (like in a Spaghetti
Western)—while Lucas wanted a happier ending, partly to encourage toy sales. This led to tension
between the two, resulting in Kurtz leaving the production.[47]

Prequel trilogy
The central trio of the prequel trilogy was played by, from left to right, Hayden Christensen (Anakin
Skywalker), Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), and Natalie Portman (Padmé Amidala).

According to producer Gary Kurtz, loose plans for a prequel trilogy were developed during the
outlining of the original two films.[48] However, after losing much of his fortune in a divorce settlement
in 1987, George Lucas had no desire to return to Star Wars, and had unofficially canceled
the sequel trilogy by the time of Return of the Jedi.[49]
Technical advances in the late 1980s and 1990s, including the ability to create computer-generated
imagery, inspired Lucas to consider that it might be possible to revisit his saga.[50] The popularity of
the franchise had been prolonged by the Star Warsexpanded universe, so that it still had a large
audience. A theatrical rerelease "updated" the original trilogy with the style of CGI envisioned for the
new films.
The prequel trilogy consists of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, released on May 19, 1999; Episode
II: Attack of the Clones, released on May 16, 2002; and Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, released on
May 19, 2005.[51] The plot focuses on the fall of the Galactic Republic, as well as the tragedy of
Anakin Skywalker's turn to the dark side.
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Main article: Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
The first prequel is set 32 years before the original film. The corrupt Trade Federation has set a
blockade around the planet Naboo. Sith Lord Darth Sidious had secretly planned the blockade to
give his alter ego, Senator Palpatine, a pretense to overthrow and replace the Supreme Chancellor
of the Republic. At the Chancellor's request, the Jedi Knight Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice, a
younger Obi-Wan Kenobi, are sent to Naboo to negotiate with the Federation. However, the two Jedi
are forced to instead help the Queen of Naboo, Padmé Amidala, escape from the blockade and
plead her planet's crisis before the Republic Senate on Coruscant. When their starship is damaged
during the escape, they land on Tatooine for repairs. Sidious dispatches his Sith apprentice, Darth
Maul, to hunt down the Queen and her Jedi protectors. While on Tatooine, they meet a nine-year-old
slave named Anakin Skywalker. Qui-Gon helps liberate the boy by betting with his master in a
podrace, believing him to be the "Chosen One" prophesied by the Jedi to bring balance to the Force.
However, Yoda believes that he possesses too much fear.[13]
The prequels were originally planned to fill in history tangential to the original trilogy, but Lucas
realized that they could form the first half of one long story focusing on Anakin.[52] This would shape
the film series into a self-contained saga. In 1994, Lucas began writing the screenplay for the first
prequel, initially titled Episode I: The Beginning. Following the film's release, Lucas announced that
he would be directing the next two.[53]

Warwick Davis (left) and Anthony Daniels (right) have appeared in films across all three trilogies as well as in
anthology films.

Episode II: Attack of the Clones

Main article: Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones
The second prequel opens ten years after the Battle of Naboo. Former Queen Padmé Amidala is
now serving as the Senator of Naboo, until being targeted in an assassination attempt. Obi-Wan and
his apprentice Anakin are assigned to her protect her; Obi-Wan tracks the killer, while Anakin and
Padmé retreat to Naboo. They soon fall in love with each other, albeit secretly due to the Jedi
Order's rule against attachment. Meanwhile, Chancellor Palpatine schemes to draw the entire galaxy
into the "Clone War" between the Republic army led by the Jedi, and the Confederacy of
Independent Systems led by Count Dooku (the former master of Obi-Wan's deceased master Qui-
Gon, and Palpatine's new Sith apprentice).[54]
The first draft of Episode II was completed just weeks before principal photography, and Lucas
hired Jonathan Hales, a writer from The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, to polish it.[55] Unsure of a
title, Lucas had jokingly called the film "Jar Jar's Great Adventure".[56] In writing The Empire Strikes
Back, Lucas initially considered that Lando Calrissian was a clone from a planet of clones which
caused the Clone Wars mentioned in A New Hope.[57][58] He later came up with the concept of an
army of clone shock troopers from a remote planet which attacked the Republic and were resisted
by the Jedi.[59]
Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Main article: Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Three years into the Clone Wars, Anakin and Obi-Wan lead a rescue mission to save Chancellor
Palpatine from Count Dooku and the droid commander General Grievous. Anakin begins to have
prophetic visions of his secret wife Padmé dying in childbirth. Palpatine, who had been secretly
engineering the Clone Wars to destroy the Jedi Order, convinces Anakin that the dark side of the
Force holds the power to save Padmé's life. Desperate, Anakin submits to Palpatine and is renamed
Darth Vader. Palpatine orders the clone army to fire on their Jedi generals, and declares the former
Republic an Empire. Vader participates in the extermination of the Jedi, culminating in a lightsaber
duel with Obi-Wan on the volcanic planet Mustafar.[10]
Work on Episode III began before Episode II was released, with one scene shot during the earlier
film's production. Lucas originally told concept artists that the film would open with a montage of the
Clone Wars,[60] and included a scene of Palpatine revealing to Anakin that he had willed his
conception through the Force.[61] Lucas reviewed and radically reorganized the plot,[62] having Anakin
execute Dooku in the first act to foreshadow his fall to the dark side.[63] After principal photography
was completed in 2003, Lucas made more changes, rewriting Anakin's arc. He would now primarily
turn to the dark side in a quest to save Padmé, rather than just believing that the Jedi are plotting to
take over the Republic. The rewrite was accomplished both through editing principal footage, and
filming new and revised scenes during pick-ups in 2004.[64]

Sequel trilogy
Main article: Star Wars sequel trilogy
The main cast of the sequel trilogy is played by, clockwise from top left, Daisy Ridley (Rey), John
Boyega (Finn), Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron), and Adam Driver(Kylo Ren).

Over the years, Lucas often exaggerated the amount of material he wrote for the series; stemming
from the success of the original film, when the saga grew into a phenomenon. In 2004, Mark Hamill
spoke of Lucas having outlined sequels that would see the return of Luke in a role similar to that of
Obi-Wan in the original trilogy.[65] Lucasfilm and Lucas had denied plans for a sequel trilogy for many
years, insisting that Star Wars was meant to be a six-part series and that no further episodes would
be released after the conclusion of the prequel trilogy.[66][67] While promoting The Clone Wars in 2008,
Lucas maintained his position on a sequel trilogy: "The movies were the story of Anakin Skywalker
and Luke Skywalker, and when Luke saves the galaxy and redeems his father, that's where that
story ends."[68]
Before selling the franchise to Disney, Lucas discreetly began working on story treatments for a
sequel trilogy involving "a microbiotic world" and creatures known as the Whills, beings that "control
the universe" and "feed off the Force."[69] He later decided to cease involvement with the franchise
and leave its future in the hands of other filmmakers. In January 2012, Lucas announced that he
would step away from making blockbuster films. Asked whether his decision was influenced by the
criticism he received regarding the prequel trilogy and the alterations to the rereleases of the original
trilogy, Lucas said, "Why would I make any more when everybody yells at you all the time and says
what a terrible person you are?"[70]

Fisher, Hamill, and Ford reprised their characters in supporting roles in the sequel trilogy.

In October 2012, The Walt Disney Company agreed to buy Lucasfilm and announced that Star Wars
Episode VII would be released in 2015. Later, it was revealed that the three new films (Episodes VII–
IX) would be based on story treatments Lucas had written before the sale.[71] The co-chairman of
Lucasfilm, Kathleen Kennedy, became president of the company, reporting to Walt Disney
Studios chairman Alan Horn. Kennedy also served as executive producer of new Star Wars feature
films, with Lucas serving as creative consultant.[72] As announced by Lucasfilm, the sequel trilogy
also meant the end of the existing Star Wars expanded universe, which was discarded to give
"maximum creative freedom to the filmmakers and also preserve an element of surprise and
discovery for the audience."[73]
The sequel trilogy focuses on the journey of the orphaned scavenger Rey following in the footsteps
of the Jedi with the guidance of the reluctant last Jedi, Luke Skywalker. Along with ex-stormtrooper
Finn, she helps the Resistance led by Leia fight the First Order commanded by Supreme Leader
Snoke and his pupil Kylo Ren (Han Solo and Leia's son). Episode VII: The Force Awakens was
released on December 18, 2015, Episode VIII: The Last Jedi on December 15, 2017, and Episode
IX is due to be released on December 20, 2019.
Episode VII: The Force Awakens
Main article: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
30 years after the destruction of the second Death Star, Luke Skywalker has vanished. The
remnants of the Empire have become the First Order, who seek to destroy Luke and the New
Republic. They are opposed by the Resistance, led by princess-turned-general Leia Organa. On the
planet of Jakku, Resistance pilot Poe Dameron obtains a map to Luke's location, but is captured by
stormtroopers under the command of Kylo Ren. Poe's droid BB-8 escapes with the map, and
encounters a scavenger girl, Rey. Kylo tortures Poe and learns of BB-8. A defecting stormtrooper
frees Poe, who dubs him "Finn", and both escape in a TIE fighter. Poe is seemingly killed in a crash-
landing upon Jakku. Finn finds Rey and BB-8, as the First Order pursues them; they escape
together in the impounded Millennium Falcon. The Falcon is recaptured by Han Solo and
Chewbacca, working as smugglers again. They agree to help deliver the map inside BB-8 to the
Resistance.
In early 2013, Walt Disney Studios and Lucasfilm officially announced J. J. Abrams as Star Wars
Episode VII's director and producer, along with Bryan Burk and Bad Robot Productions.[74] The
screenplay for Episode VII was originally set to be written by Michael Arndt, but in October 2013 it
was announced that writing duties would be taken over by Lawrence Kasdan and J. J. Abrams.[75][76]

John Williams, composer of the scores for the film trilogies, stated that Episode IX will be his last involvement
with the franchise.

Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Main article: Star Wars: The Last Jedi
After a battle scene which overlaps with the denouement of the previous film, Rey attempts to
convince Luke Skywalker to teach her the ways of the Force. She also seeks answers about her
past and the conflict between Luke and his nephew Kylo Ren. Unbeknownst to Luke, Rey starts
using the Force to communicate with Ren. Meanwhile, Leia leads Poe, Finn, Rose Tico, BB-8, and
the rest of the Resistance as they are pursued by the First Order, led by Snoke with Kylo as his
second in command. After hearing Ren's perspective, Rey disagrees with Luke and leaves him in an
attempt to redeem Kylo and achieve peace. In doing this, Rey unwittingly helps Kylo kill Snoke.
However, Ren's intentions are to replace Snoke as Supreme Leader, believing that destroying the
Jedi and the Resistance is the only way to achieve peace. Rey must choose between Kylo's offer to
rule the galaxy with him, or helping the outnumbered Resistance survive on Crait.
In late 2012, it was reported that Lawrence Kasdan and Simon Kinberg would write and produce
Episodes VIII and IX.[77] Kasdan and Kinberg were later confirmed as consultants on those films. In
addition, John Williams, who wrote the music for the previous six episodes, was hired to compose
the music for Episodes VII, VIII and IX.[78] On March 12, 2015, Lucasfilm announced
that Looper director Rian Johnson would direct Episode VIII with Ram Bergman as producer for Ram
Bergman Productions.[79] When asked about Episode VIII in mid-2014, Johnson said "I'm just happy.
I don't have the terror I kind of expected I would... I'm sure I will at some point."[80] Principal
photography began in February 2016[81] and wrapped in July 2016.[82][83][84] Carrie Fisher had finished
filming her scenes, but died on December 27, 2016,[85] approximately a year before the film's release.
Episode IX
Main article: Star Wars: Episode IX
Production on Episode IX was scheduled to begin in 2017.[86] Carrie Fisher was originally slated for a
key role in the film, but after her death, her role had to be modified.[87][88][89] In January 2017, Lucasfilm
stated they would not digitally generate Fisher's performance for the film.[90] In April 2017, Fisher's
brother Todd and daughter Billie Lourd gave Disney permission to use unreleased footage from the
first two films of the sequel trilogy.[91] Principal photography of Star Wars: Episode IX began on
August 1, 2018.[92] J.J. Abrams returned to direct, and co-wrote the film alongside Chris Terrio. Most
of the cast of The Last Jedi is set to return, including Star Wars veterans Mark Hamill and Anthony
Daniels. They will be joined by Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian, on screen for the first time
since 1983's Return of the Jedi.

Standalone films
Theatrical films outside the main episodic series have their origin in the Ewok spin-off films Caravan
of Courage: An Ewok Adventure (1984) and Ewoks: Battle for Endor (1985), which were screened
internationally after being produced for television. Although based on story ideas from Lucas, they
do not bear Star Wars in their titles, and were considered to exist in a lower level of canon than the
episodic films.
After the conclusion of his then six-episode saga in 2005, Lucas returned to spin-offs in the form of
television series.

Initial
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The Clone Wars

Preceding the airing of the animated TV series in late 2008, the theatrical feature Star Wars: The
Clone Wars was compiled from episodes "almost [as] an afterthought."[93][94] It reveals that Anakin
trained an apprentice between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith; the series explains
Padawan Ahsoka Tano's absence from the latter film. The character was originally criticized by fans,
but by the end of the series the character had become a fan favorite.[95][96] It exists in the same level
of canon as the episodic and anthology films.[97]
Anthology films
Rogue One
Main article: Rogue One

Actors Diego Luna and Felicity Jonesand director Gareth Edwards appear at the Rogue One premiere red
carpet in Japan.

The first "Star Wars Story" is set directly before Episode IV: A New Hope and focuses on "Rogue
One", a group of rebels who obtain the plans to the Death Star, a space station capable of
destroying planets. Its laser was developed by scientist Galen Erso (played by Mads Mikkelsen)
after the Empire forcibly abducted him, separating him from his daughter Jyn. Galen secretly sends
deflecting Imperial pilot Bodhi Rook to deliver a message warning of the weapon's existence and
revealing its weakness to his rebel friend Saw Gerrera, whom raised Jyn in Galen's absence. Under
the false promise of her father's liberation, Jyn agrees to use her ties to help the Rebel Alliance
retrieve the message from Saw, now the paranoid leader of an extremist cell of rebels.
The idea for the movie came from John Knoll, who was a visual effects supervisor on the prequel
trilogy and the chief creative officer of Industrial Light & Magic.[98] In May 2014, Lucasfilm
announced Gareth Edwards as the director of an anthology film, with Gary Whittawriting the first
draft for a release on December 16, 2016.[99] On March 12, 2015, the film's title was revealed to
be Rogue One, with Chris Weitz rewriting the script, and Felicity Jones in the starring role.[100] Ben
Mendelsohn and Diego Luna also play new characters.[101] James Earl Jones voices Darth Vader in a
supporting role.[102] Edwards stated, "It comes down to a group of individuals who don't have magical
powers that have to somehow bring hope to the galaxy," and, "It's the reality of war. Good guys are
bad. Bad guys are good. It's complicated, layered."[103] The film was the first to feature characters
introduced in animated Star Wars TV series, namely The Clone Wars' Saw Gerrera, portrayed
by Forest Whitaker. The movie received generally positive reviews, with its performances, action
sequences, soundtrack, visual effects and darker tone being praised. The film grossed
over US$500 million worldwide within a week of its release.[104]
Solo
Main article: Solo: A Star Wars Story
The second anthology film focuses on Han Solo before his appearance in the original trilogy. After
an escape attempt from his Imperial-occupied home planet of Corellia goes wrong, a young Han
vows to return to rescue his girlfriend Qi'ra. Han "Solo" joins the Imperial Academy; however, he is
expelled for his reckless behavior. Han and his newfound Wookieefriend Chewbacca resort to a
criminal life, mentored by veteran smuggler Beckett. After angering gangster Dryden Vos, Han and
his company's lives depend on pulling a heist for him. Without a ship to travel, they hire Lando
Calrissian, the captain and owner of the Millennium Falcon. A twist ending reveals Vos' employer,
acknowledging one of the major story arcs of The Clone Wars.[105]
Before selling Lucasfilm to Disney, George Lucas had hired Star Wars original trilogy
veteran Lawrence Kasdan to write a film about a young Han Solo.[14] The film stars Alden
Ehrenreich as a young Han Solo, Joonas Suotamo as Chewbacca (after serving as a double for the
character in The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi), Donald Glover as Lando Calrissian, Emilia
Clarke as Qi'ra, and Woody Harrelson as Beckett. Lucasfilm originally hired Phil Lord and
Christopher Miller to direct, but they were fired during principal photography, and replaced by Ron
Howard.
Critics noted the film was intentionally left open for sequels.[106] Alden Ehrenreich confirmed his
contractual obligation to play the character for two additional films.[107] Emilia Clarke also signed on
for the possible return of her character.[108]
Future anthology films
On February 5, 2013, Disney CEO Bob Iger publicized the development of an undisclosed film
written by Simon Kinberg.[109] The next day, Entertainment Weekly reported that it would focus
on Boba Fett during the original trilogy, but this was never confirmed.[110] In June 2014, Josh
Trank was officially announced as the director of an unknown spin-off film,[111] but had left the project
by May 2015.[112][113] In May 2018, reports emerged that James Mangold had signed on to write and
direct a film rumored to focus on Boba Fett, with Simon Kinberg attached as producer and co-
screenwriter.[114][115] The author of a saga-spanning[116] Legends story stated that Lucasfilm had
considered adapting elements of his Fett-focused story, but didn't know if such a project was in the
works.[117]
By August 2017, it was rumored that an Obi-Wan Kenobi film was in development, with Stephen
Daldry in early negotiations to co-write and direct the project.[118] Ewan McGregorhas expressed his
interest in reprising the role, but as of mid-2018 had no knowledge of plans for him to do so.[119][120] In
June 2018, a Collider report claimed that all standalone films including the rumored Obi-Wan spin-off
had been put on hold.[121] Lucasfilm quickly countered by confirming that there were multiple
unannounced Star Wars anthology films in development.[122] On the same day, Making Star Wars,
known for divulging leaks for the series,[123] reported that a previously unknown Mos Eisley Spaceport
film was the source of the rumors and was either postponed or cancelled.[124]